annual report
together, we are building homes, communities and hope.
Habitat for Humanity Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country on which we work throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and culture. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s First Peoples and recognise their lands and sovereignty were never ceded.
Together, we build homes, communities and hope.
Contents
Together, we build purpose
Chair & CEO’s Report
A reflection on the year that was, the challenges we met, the communities we built with, and the vision that drives us forward: a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
John Douglas,
Board Director
Chair Report
In last year’s report Duncan West announced his retirement as Chair and introduced me as the incoming Chair. This change was part of a bigger succession plan that we could not discuss at the time. Nicole Stanmore, who was with Habitat for a little under seven years, had indicated that she needed to take time for family matters and to look for new frontiers.
Duncan and the board decided that it would be appropriate to make a change of Chair to allow the incoming Chair to lead the search for a new CEO. I’d like to thank Duncan for his helpful handover. I’d also like to thank the whole board for their welcome, help, support, and guidance.
We did have a further change this year with Liz Satow joining the board. Liz Satow is the Area Vice President for Asia and the Pacific for Habitat for Humanity International. She is a contributing board member in her own right as well as helping build Habitat for Humanity Australia’s ties with the broader Habitat organisation.
Nicole was a terrific CEO, and we were very sorry to lose her at the end of FY25. I took the role knowing that she was moving on but did work with her for long enough to appreciate her significant contribution to the organisation. I’d like to thank her on behalf of the Board and the whole organisation for her efforts. She built a great team that continues to take the organisation forward.
The Board formed a search committee consisting of Negaya, Liz and me. Duncan gave by generously of his time despite having left the Board. We were ably assisted by Michelle Duby from Habitat Australia and by our search consultants, Beaumont People. We were pleased to have a strong field of both external and internal candidates, a testimony to Habitat Australia’s strong reputation.
We are delighted to welcome Penny Kaleta as Habitat for Humanity Australia’s CEO. Penny’s career is characterised by her ability to cultivate high-performance cultures, develop sustainable revenue streams, and forge powerful partnerships that drive meaningful change.
While succession was well managed, change is always unsettling. I’d like to thank our staff for their ongoing focus on Habitat’s domestic and international mission.
I would also like to thank the Boards and staff of our Affiliates in South Australia and Victoria for their support and the leadership they are providing to the work in their own States.
Finally, my thanks to you – our vital and valued community of individuals, organisations, schools, and partners. We would not be able to continue to positively impact families in all parts of the world through access to safe housing without you. On behalf of the people you have helped, I would like to thank you.
CEO Report
As we close the chapter on this remarkable year, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we have achieved together—and what lies ahead.
This year was not without its challenges, but it was defined by resilience, generosity, and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves a safe and decent place to call home. Across communities, we witnessed volunteers, partners, and donors come together in extraordinary ways. From building homes in regional areas to supporting families through critical repairs, every nail hammered and every dollar donated has made a tangible difference.
Beyond the numbers, the real story is in the lives transformed. Women, young people and families who once faced uncertainty now have stability. Children have safe spaces to dream and grow. Communities have been strengthened through the power of collaboration and compassion.
I’d like to thank my incredible entire team at Habitat for Humanity Australia for the incredible work they do.
Looking ahead, our mission remains clear: To bring people together to build homes, communities and hope.
In the coming year, we will continue to innovate, advocate, and build—because the need is great, and together, we can meet it.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support, whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading the word, is the foundation upon which we build hope.
Penny Kaleta, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Australia
together, we build the foundation
Habitat for Humanity is a movement of people in Australia and around the world, working together to build more prosperous and vibrant communities by making sure everyone has a decent, safe, affordable place to call home.
Since our founding in 1976, together we have helped 62 million people in countries around the world build their life on their own terms through access to decent, affordable housing.
We’ve done that by working alongside them to build, repair and finance their homes, by innovating new ways of building and financing to make it easier for others to build, and by advocating for policies that make building and accessing housing easier for everyone.
Every safe, affordable home sparks wider change, leading to better health, education and well-being, more economic growth and less poverty. Peace of mind and the ability to focus on what matters most — it all starts with a home.
our vision
our mission
our values
our strategy
together, we build impact
2024/25
Year in Review
From home repairs and volunteer builds to bold advocacy wins and powerful partnerships, here’s how we moved the needle this year, together.
10,250
people reached
People impacted across Australia, and Asia and Pacific regions through our overseas programs which are focused on housing, climate resilience, urban informal settlement programming, and water sanitation and hygiene.
2,508
volunteers
Volunteers we mobilised through our Global Village and Brush with Kindness Programs completing 58,950 hours of work.
72
women trained and employed to improve homes
Through Habitat Women, 52 women graduated with repair and maintenance skills, and 20 past graduates were employed in our social enterprise to enhance housing quality and dignity.
31
strategic advocacy engagements
To increase awareness and access to quality, affordable housing and create systemic change.
47
community partners and collaborators
We work with global and local partners to solve the housing crisis.
3,931
women reached
Supported in Australia, Asia and the Pacific to participate in creating safer homes and communities and empowered to lead positive change and break gender barriers.
360
homes
Together we built 62 new homes and improved 298 homes with our partners in Asia, the Pacific and in Australia, enabling increased safety and dignity for the people living in them.
How Housing supports the SDGs
A climate-resilient future starts with a home
Our Contribution to the SDG Goals & Climate Change
We view housing as a powerful and essential part of climate action, driving innovation to make homes safer, more sustainable, and energy efficient. Our work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing our dedication to global progress, because a better world begins at home.
Our Work Overseas
together, we are building a better world
Our development approach
Through our international program we work in partnership with communities across the Asia-Pacific region, and the world, to address housing poverty and to support integrated community development. Our international program is designed to address multi-dimensional aspects of poverty and recognises the key role adequate housing plays in sustainable development.Through our international programs we work in partnership with communities across the Asia-Pacific region, and the world, to address housing poverty and to support integrated community development for climate resilience. Our international programs are designed to address multi-dimensional aspects of poverty and recognise the key role adequate housing plays in sustainable development.
From Cambodia to Vietnam, Nepal, Bangladesh and Fiji, we work alongside local partners and community leaders to expand access to decent housing, basic services, and secure land tenure, creating lasting impact and change. Habitat for Humanity Australia receives support from the Australian Government principally through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). This enables us to implement impactful projects that support community-led development.
CLIMATE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES:
Habitat for Humanity empowers communities to proactively address climate-related challenges through a deeply participatory and inclusive approach. By fostering local leadership and collaboration, we help build local capacities to plan for and respond to disasters. Our work includes the prioritisation and implementation of essential community infrastructure, such as safe housing, sanitation facilities, flood embankments, and drainage systems, tailored to meet local needs and vulnerabilities. We also advocate for policy change, ensuring that community voices influence local, provincial and national government priorities and long-term resilience strategies.
ADEQUATE HOUSING IN INFORMAL URBAN SETTLEMENTS:
Half a billion people are now living in slum-type conditions in informal settlements with inadequate housing across Asia and the Pacific. Habitat is advocating for greater recognition and support to improve dire living conditions through working directly with affected communities and promoting more inclusive and responsive government policies and strategies.
WOMEN EMPOWERED TO LEAD CHANGE
Habitat recognises that gender disparities mean women are more vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters and climate change. We work with local communities to empower women, increasing their voice in identifying risks, and prioritising and leading solutions that will benefit them and the entire community as a result. Empowering women benefits everyone.
Projects
Monitoring and Evaluation
Habitat for Humanity Australia is committed to demonstrating impact and continuous improvement through rigorous measurement and evaluation of our programs in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region. We work closely with local partners to develop and implement Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) processes, ensure programs are effective, impactful and responsive to local community needs.
Our Work in Australia
together, we build homegrown change
This year, we worked to unlock access to safe, dignified housing, delivering repairs, renovations, and new homes that build strength, stability, and hope. We transformed empty houses into homes for families, trained women to lead housing maintenance projects, advocated for systemic housing change, and made sustainable shopping part of the solution.
Volunteers played a vital role, with over 2,914 people contributing 41,926 hours to support our work. Together, we supported 2,894 people across NSW, QLD, SA, and VIC, creating a lasting impact in communities across Australia.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS FOR MORE LIVEABLE HOMES AND COMMUNITIES:
Our Australian program connecting corporate and community to impact. Volunteers who give up their time to paint and refurbish homes for those supported by our community partners. Together, we ensure that more Australians can live in safe, dignified spaces.
Habitat Women provides skill-based training for women who carry out a wide range of maintenance and repair tasks to improve the habitability of homes.
CONSTRUCTING NEW HOUSING FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE:
Habitat partners with specialist housing providers to construct new domestic violence refuges and other specialist housing.
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR AFFORDABLE AND SECURE HOUSING:
Habitat’s meanwhile use housing program repurposes underutilised properties into crisis or temporary housing solutions, creating safe shelter for those who need it most. Our subsidised rental program provides affordable secure rental housing for women and their children escaping violence.
SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING THAT BUILDS HOMES:
ReStore is a social enterprise turning everyday purchases into powerful change. By accepting and reselling new and gently used items, ReStore generates vital funds to support Habitat’s mission of building safe, affordable housing for families in need. From furniture and homewares to building materials, every item sold helps create secure shelter and stronger communities.
Our impact across Australia
NSW
- 52 women graduated from the Habitat Women program, gaining valuable skills, confidence and employment opportunities.
- 2,502 hours of employment provided to Habitat Women graduates
- Brush with Kindness volunteers provided improved living conditions for 1,317 people, through the refurbishment of 94 properties in Sydney and Newcastle. days facilitated across Sydney and Newcastle, refurbishing 94 properties
- Our Meanwhile Use program launched, transforming vacant housing into affordable rentals for domestic violence survivors.
- 217 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children have escaped domestic and family violence into safe housing through our build project in partnership with DV West.
QLD
- Collaborated with 6 community organisations and improved 43 properties through Brush with Kindness
- Mobilised more than 300 volunteers to refresh homes and hope for people experiencing vulnerabilities in the community.
- Celebrated International Women’s Day and NAIDOC Week through engaging 135 volunteers to paint and refurbish specialist housing, honouring the strength of women and First Nations Communities.
- We hosted our first Brisbane Purpose-Led event with our corporate partners to explore the power and impact of purpose-driven organisations.
SA
- Brush with Kindness project supported crisis accommodation providers, including 13 families through Grandcarers SA, and 5 additional households.
- Mobilised over 1,000 volunteer hours, including 579 hours from community volunteers and 470 hours from corporate teams.
- Expanded partnerships with the Salvation Army, St John’s Youth Services and the Towards Home Alliance, broadening our reach and impact.
- ReStore continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our community. This year over 4,300 volunteer hours helped drive its success, enabling us to reinvest directly into programs that support families across Australia with safe and decent housing.
- Our ReStore truck diverted an average of 6.2 tonnes of reusable materials from landfill each week—giving new life to pre-loved goods and reducing environmental impact, one item at a time.
Learn more about our work in South Australia: https://www.habitatsa.org.au/
VIC
- Over 400 volunteers were mobilised contributing over 2,500 hours and supporting 445 people through Brush with Kindness.
- Affordable housing development at Crib Point is nearing completion.
- The ReStores in Rosebud and Kilsyth increased sales through improved stock management and marketing, backed by 120 passionate volunteers.
Learn more about our work in Victoria.: https://www.habitatvic.org.au/
together, we are transforming housing systems
We are working to influence policy changes that advance access to adequate and affordable housing.
Working Together Across Sectors
We champion collaborative approaches that integrate housing, community infrastructure, and other development needs, recognising that safe, secure homes and basic services are essential to helping families adapt to climate challenges and recover from disasters
Putting Communities at the Centre
Our advocacy highlights the importance of community-led planning and response, ensuring humanitarian, development and climate priorities are identified locally and addressed actively together with local and provincial governments.
Backing Local Solutions That Scale
We continue to grow support for shelter initiatives that are designed and led by communities themselves, building resilience from the ground up and creating models that can be expanded across regions.
Innovating for impact
We promote new ways to fund and deliver climate adaptation, encouraging partnerships and financial models that help vulnerable communities access the resources they need to thrive.
Governments and Regional Stakeholders
We engage with national and regional entities that are also engaged in international development to ensure that our work is mutually supportive. We aim to influence others to ensure adequate housing and basic services like water and sanitation are also prioritised by other relevant stakeholders in Australia and overseas to achieve more effective climate resilience and SDG outcomes for everyone.
together, we inspire action through housing
Volunteering Overseas with partners
This year over 450 dedicated volunteers lent a helping hand overseas building homes alongside deserving families, and advocating to help them access safe, decent housing. The Global Village program goes beyond bricks and mortar; it helps build strength, stability, and a stronger sense of community.
together, we build
Volunteering Locally
Volunteers are central to our work in Australia, with each rolling up their sleeves and contributing to a society where every person lives with dignity. This year in Australia, 2,053 people contributed nearly 42,000 hours of their time and talent to our work. Whether through lifting the habitability of homes, keeping the ReStores open and thriving, supporting the teams in the office or mentoring the Habitat Women cohorts. To each and every volunteer we are deeply grateful for every hour of your work.
Read how our Brush with Kindness program is supporting people in changing their lives, one brushstroke at a time.
volunteering in action:
Watch Hayley share her transformational journey with Habitat. From first-time volunteer to passionate advocate for change, her story shows how the work of our volunteers helps transform lives and communities.
together, we build towards reconciliation
Reflect RAP endorsed by Reconciliation Australia
Our mission is to empower people, and our Reflect RAP demonstrates our recognition and respect for the world’s longest continuous cultures. We are committed to promoting and standing in solidarity with First Nations people in the ongoing work of justice, healing and reconciliation. As part of this commitment, we will deepen our engagement with First Nations-led organisations, ensuring our work providing safe and decent shelter is guided by their leadership. We will build on the strong foundation of our existing initiatives and ensure that staff, board members and other stakeholders are engaged in its implementation.
together, we build stronger communities through partnership
Thank you to our partners
Our partners are essential in helping us move closer to our vision of a world where everyone has a safe place to live.
Our philanthropic partners
We work with individuals and foundations who are ready to invest resources to create sustainable change. This year donors like GHD Foundation and Communities for Communities are supporting us to grow our impact at home and overseas with new programs in NSW, Fiji and Cambodia.
Our corporate partners
This year, our corporate partners delivered $1.2 million in combined financial, pro bono and in-kind value. These companies, along with their people, customers, and stakeholders, sit at the core of our work and have played a key role in helping create safe, secure housing for vulnerable families in Australia, and around the world.
Case Study: James Hardie
James Hardie strengthened its support through increased funding and Hardie™ fibre cement product donations to our housing and Habitat Women training programs. Their combined resources, expertise, and hands-on support show how corporate partnerships can deliver real, lasting impact for vulnerable communities.
“Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity Australia continues to grow and evolve. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our support, through funding, products, and volunteering, helping to create opportunities, stability, and hope for families who need it most, which aligns so seamlessly with the James Hardie vision of Building a Better Future for All.” – Adele Gordon, ANZ Marketing Director, James Hardie
Partnerships powered every project. Because together, we build more.
transformational partners
impact partners
together, we build accountabililty
Regulation and Compliance
Our commitment to transparency, good governance, and ethical leadership underpins everything we do, from our boardroom to our build sites.
Habitat for Humanity Australia is governed by a voluntary Board of 10 members. The Board draws on a wide range of backgrounds, expertise, and lived experience to provide strong governance, ensure accountability, and keep the organisation closely aligned with its mission.
At the 2024 AGM, we farewelled Duncan West and Sue Boyce, both of whom made significant contributions during their tenure on the Board. Their guidance and expertise strengthened our governance practices and helped position the organisation for long-term success.
In October 2025, the Board appointed John Douglas to the Board and in February 2025 he was elected as Chair. In March 2025 we welcomed Elizabeth Satow r, Area Vice President of Habitat for Humanity International, Asia-Pacific region, as a new Director.
The Board is responsible for setting the organisation’s strategic goals and has worked closely with management to implement the plan approved in October 2024. This three-year strategy aligns with Habitat for Humanity’s international priorities while also addressing the unique opportunities and challenges in Australia, ensuring our work delivers lasting impact for the communities we serve.
Board of Directors
Duncan West
Company Director, former CEO/executive insurance industry.
Director since September 2017
Retired in February 2025
Meetings attended:3/3
John Douglas
An experienced CEO and Board Director across global consulting, engineering, and construction materials industries.
Director since October 2024, Appointed as Chair in February 2025. Current terms expires 2027.
Chair of Governance Nominations Committee
Meetings attended 5/5
Negaya Chorley
CEO of international development organisation.
Director since March 2022. Current term expires 2025.
Meetings attended: 5/6
Christa Avery
ESG background across corporate, NFP, social enterprise and private sector
Director since June 2023. Current term expires 2027.
Chair of International Program Advisory
Meetings attended: 4/6
Elizabeth Satow (Liz)
Over 20 years’ experience leading multinational teams, driving operations and securing institutional funding. Currently Area Vice President for Asia and the Pacific at Habitat for Humanity International.
Director since March 2025. Current term expires 2028.
Meetings attended: 2/2
Ian Graham
Former CEO, corporate and accounting background, Habitat for Humanity Fiji Board Director.
Director since November 2016. Current term expires 2026.
Chair of Finance Audit & Risk Committee
Meetings attended: 6/6
Paul Mulroney
Former NSW Magistrate. Director since November 2020 and previous director 2010-2016. Current term expires 2027.
Chair of Australian Program Advisory Committee
Meetings attended: 6/6
Bart Mead
Senior Executive with global residential property experience.
Director since November 2020. Current terms expires 2027.
Meetings attended: 5/6
Michael Arman
Urban planning, strategy, design and project management background, Habitat for Humanity SA Board Member. BUrbRgnlPlan (Hons), MBA, GAICD
Director since November 2021. Current terms expires 2027.
Meetings attended: 5/6
Phil Burns
Corporate construction and property development background.
Director since November 2021.
Current term expires 2027.
Meetings attended: 3/6
*An additional 2 Board sub-committee meetings were held in January attended by Ducan West (2), John Douglas (2), Paul Mulroney (2), Bard Mead (2), Michael Arman (1) and Christa Avery (1) to review specific project related activity.
together, we build impact
our year in figures
The numbers behind the movement: homes built, lives changed, funds raised, volunteers mobilised. Each stat tells a story of collective action and hope.
The total revenue & other income of HFHA was $5,329,043 (2024: $6,004,236) with expenditure of $5,515,172 (2024: $6,364,731), resulting in a deficit of $186,129 (2024: $360,495 deficit.
The year saw an increase in Monetary Donations to 2025: $3,404,846 from 2024: $3,202,269, positively impacted by the return of Global Village, and an increase in bequest income to $299,635 from $11,057 in 2024.
Grant funding from the Australian Government decreased in 2025 to $825,976 from 2024: $2,267,238 with the completion of numerous domestic grants, and grants from overseas increased in 2025 to $436,302 from 2024: $178,392.
Overall expenditure decreased from 2024: $6,364,731 to 2025: $5,515,172. Within overall expenditure, Australian programs costs decreased by $745,614, and international expenditure increased by $30,391.
where the support came from
Support ratios are calculated by dividing each income source category by total income.
FY25
- Individuals (28%)
- Corporates (37%)
- Trusts and Foundations (14%)
- DFAT (15%)
- Other (incl investment income) (6%)
how we allocated support
Contribution ratios are calculated by dividing international and domestic program spend by total expenditure on programs.
FY25
- Program (74%)
- FundraIsing (14%)
- Administration (12%)
$0.77 of every $1 is donated is used to support our programs around the world in areas of housing, water and sanitation, disaster resiliency and recovery and urban programming. 9% $0.14 of every $1 is invested to generate future income so we can ensure programming is sustainable, long term and impacts more people. $0.09 of every $1 is used on essential administration and the attributed expenses to enable us to build a stable organisation and to ensure the day to day running of our activities.
contributions to international programs
International program contribution ratios are calculated by dividing the expenditure on projects applicable to each country by the total expenditure on international programs.
FY25
- Bangladesh (8%)
- Fiji & Pacific (6%)
- Vietnam (24%)
- Cambodia (40%)
- Nepal (16%)
- Indonesia (2%)
- Other (5%)
contribution to programs
Support allocation ratios are calculated by dividing each expenditure category by total expenditures.
FY25
- International (45%)
- Australia (55%)
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